Homeschooling High School
Homeschooling high school is awesome! My teen and adult children are my best friends. They are wacky and wonderful, full of enthusiasm for all kinds of things. I love this season of life! High school is awesome because now you can tackle extremely intellectual things, dig deeply into Scripture, and minister side by side.
I participated with 2 other homeschooling moms in a question and answer session about homeschooling high school for 2 hours at a local library. When I left, I told my husband that I was so sad that the parents asked the wrong questions. Instead of focusing on raising godly children who would be confident and successful, they focused on how to homeschool to meet the state requirements for graduation. In that moment, the vision for Finish Well, a homeschooling conference, was born. My heart is for parents to enjoy their teens, enjoy homeschooling, and enjoy serving the Lord together as a family--all for the glory of God!
Having seen homeschool grads fall away from the Lord, my greatest desire is to help parents cultivate a strong relationship with the True and Living God that will last a lifetime.
The summer before Katie Beth started 8th grade, I began to pray and plan for her high school years. After lots of investigating, I decided to write my own classes/curriculum for her high school years using mainly living books, research, and writing assignments. We had great success with these classes. Over the years, they have been adapted for our other children and other families.
I participated with 2 other homeschooling moms in a question and answer session about homeschooling high school for 2 hours at a local library. When I left, I told my husband that I was so sad that the parents asked the wrong questions. Instead of focusing on raising godly children who would be confident and successful, they focused on how to homeschool to meet the state requirements for graduation. In that moment, the vision for Finish Well, a homeschooling conference, was born. My heart is for parents to enjoy their teens, enjoy homeschooling, and enjoy serving the Lord together as a family--all for the glory of God!
Having seen homeschool grads fall away from the Lord, my greatest desire is to help parents cultivate a strong relationship with the True and Living God that will last a lifetime.
The summer before Katie Beth started 8th grade, I began to pray and plan for her high school years. After lots of investigating, I decided to write my own classes/curriculum for her high school years using mainly living books, research, and writing assignments. We had great success with these classes. Over the years, they have been adapted for our other children and other families.
Wonderful, Wacky Teenagers
Even the most godly of children can be a little wacky when they hit puberty. With hormones rushing through their bloodstream, teens can be highly emotional, need more sleep, and have serious lapses in judgment. Yet, they are wonderful, interesting, funny, energetic, and enchanting. If they fall in love with Jesus, they are full of zeal and live passionately for the purposes of God. How can you enjoy your teenager, maintain parental authority, and guide them to adult independence?
|
Understanding the Times & Defending the Faith
Are our teens ready to enter college and not be seduced by undermining "vain philosophies"? Meredith will present a way to pass the baton of faith in Jesus to the next generation by establishing the necessary evidence for our faith. She will also give vital keys to teaching our teens the relevance of God's Word in politics, economics, science, philosophy, government, religion, and history that will shape their worldview to confront unbiblical views (humanism, socialism, post-modernism, and New Age) that are presently shaping our world today. Let's equip our children to be world changers!
|
Design Your Own High School Courses Using Living BooksOnce we have the framework for high school (credits, transcripts, reading lists), how do we design our classes and curriculum to meet the needs of our children? Meredith has designed four years of high school classes using living book, customizing each class for her own and other teenagers. You can to! She likes to keep record keeping and lesson plans simple, so she uses an EZ folder method that she wil share with you. Attendees will learn to mix academic structure with delight-directed learning.
|
Should Your Teen Join a Church Youth Group?
Many parents homeschool in order to cultivate a strong relationship between their teens and the Lord. To their horror, their chidlren run into bad influences in the church teen group. Are all teen groups created equally? How can you spot a good teen group or a bad one? Should your teen join the church youth group?
|
Homeschooling High School 101
This is a basics workshop for those who are homeschooling high school or considering homeschooling as an option for the teen years. Meredith will tackle state requirements, planning courses, delight-directed classes, choosing curriculum, writing transcripts, college preparation, volunteer hours, personal responsibility, and relationships.
|
Unlocking the Mysteries of Classes, Credits, & Transcripts
(or Laura Nolette)
Common fears and worries will be dispelled. Learn about planning courses, credits, and transcripts. She will share the essential elements of transcript writing which include formatting the document, titling courses, assigning grades, and computing a GPA. |
Homeschooling High School for the Glory of God!
Homeschooling high school is a call from God. Let Him lead you in this ministry. Meredith shares ways to teach high school subjects from a biblical worldview and cultivate a lifelong love of Jesus and learning in your teen. This workshop touches on mentoring, high school basics, designing courses, and relationships.
|
Building Lifelong Friendships with Your Teens
Would you like to build a friendship with your teen? Do you struggle to communicate with one another? Is there a power struggle? Meredith shares ways you can foster honest communication and mutual respect. She explains how to make time to strengthen your relationship, as well as how to work through conflict without losing it. This is a great workshop to bring your teens along, too. Meredith will challenge teens and parents to love and respect one another.
|
Teaching Literature in High School
Learn to develop an effective, life-impacting high school literature course as well as incorporate living books into other courses while cultivating a lifelong love of literature. Suggestions are given for books teens should read in high school.
|
Teaching Writing in High School
What kind of writing should your teen do in high school? What is the different between good, bad, and excellent writing? Learn to teach writing using the basic ingredients of writing (words, ideas, sentences, paragraphs). Teach your children all the steps in the writing process (research, write, edit, craft, and publish.
|
Teaching History & Geography in High School
The earth is the Lord's and history is God's story! What exciting subjects to teach your high school students. But, with so much to learn, where do you start? Meredith will give you wisdom, tips, and tools that you can use to teach history and geography from a Christ-centered perspective. She will share ways to include your high schoolers in family unit studies and independent study project ideas.
|
Teaching Bible in High School
The Bible is the most important book you will ever read. How can you give your teens a firm foundation in Scriptures, as well as a love for God and His Word? What is the best way to teach the Old Testament and New Testament in high school. Meredith will share the way she teaches Bible to her teens with lots of creative ideas and practical tips. She will also teach you to help your teen establish a daily quiet time with the Lord.
|
Teaching Economics & Government in High School
Is it possible to teach economics and government without boring your kids to death? Are there any living books that your teens can read to get a handle on this subject? Are there hands-on-practical ways to apply what they learn? Now, more than ever, we need to raise children who understand biblical principles of economics and government.
Math Success
(or Laura Nolette)
When kids have problems in math it is often because they walk into their math course convinced that they can't do it. Learn the secrets of instilling confidence and building habits that breed success. Learn why math is important, trouble-shooting fundamental stuff that went wrong in the early grades, and when to memorize. |
Post-Modernism on the College Campus
(or Katie Beth Curtis)
Post-Modernism rules and reigns on college campuses. What is it? How Can Christian students stand firm in their faith and contend with this heresy? Meredith will help you recognize Post-Modernism and help you combat this deception with the life-changing truth of Christ. Shine Your Light at a Secular College(or Katie Beth Curtis)
Can you go beyond surviving and thriving on a secular campus to making a difference in the lives of those around you? Meredith will tell you how she did it and how others are doing it right now! As the academic world wages war on Christian values, get the inside scoop on pitfalls to avoid weapons to use in the classroom to defend the faith, and wisdom to live passionately for Jesus. Meredith will equip you with practical study habits, scheduling tips, and ways to build lifelong friendships. |
The College Application Process
(Julianna Curtis)
Julianna will walk you through the details of the college application process. This includes what and when to research, how and when to volunteer, what and when to take electives, and what to do in your spare time. Julianna has the scoop on testing, applications, and how other people in your life can help you get in college. |
Going to College Debt-Free
(or Julianna Curtis)
Meredith will show you how to go to college debt-free, giving real life examples of how she and other homeschool grads have made it through college without borrowing any money. |
Teaching Character in High School
Godly character is built into our teenagers' lives purposefully with example, living books, and opportunities for applying truth to daily living. Learn to mentor your child and use living books to inspire your teen to follow Jesus and imitate Him in every way.
Teaching Teens about SexMost parents don't like to talk about sex with their kids. The result? Most of what children learn about sex is from popular culture and dirty jokes. Do you feel underqualified or overwhelmed when you talk to your children or teens about this topic? Here is practical advice that goes beyond "the talk" to a lifestyle of open communication about physiology, sexual desires, and purity. Learn how to set the tone for honest conversation that balances clinical candor with reverent modesty.
Don't Waste Your LifeMeredith and Shine Curtis talk about living every moment for God during the Teen Years. Learn how to avoid the devils traps and press into Jesus in practical ways. These ladies will share honestly how to avoid the pitfalls they fell into and how to get out if you have already fallen in. Serving Jesus is the most exciting thing you can ever do! Build a foundation NOW that will last you the rest of your life.
Teaching Teens about MoneyFrom economic principles to starting a business, Meredith will show you how to raise children who understand money and make wise financial decisions. With living books and curriculum recommendations, Meredith will give practical advice and simple tips to spark your children's interest and build healthy financial habits.
Proclaim Christ on the College Campus (or Jenny Rose Curtis)Entering college can be an eye-opening experience, especially for Christian young adults who want to share the Gospel on their campus. Come and be encouraged and equipped to boldly share the truth in love as we share personal testimonies and evangelism tips we have learned along the way. Ready to step out of the comfort zone of your home and into an adventure with Christ to blaze a path for His Kingdom? Then come. Join us. Stand with us. Run with us!
Recognizing Worldviews at CollegeYou might embrace the Bible and a Christian worldview, but if you are heading to college, you will be bombarded with all kinds of worldview and feel confused and frustrated. There is a simple solution: learn about popular worldviews in our culture today so you can recognize them and refute them respectfully. Meredith will share about the Christian, Muslim, Humanist, New Age, Post-Modern, and Marxist worldviews and mention resources (like Understanding the Times by David Noebel) to use to learn more.
|
Teaching Life Skills in High School
There are so many daily skills we take for granted: balancing the check book, paying bills, cleaning the house, throwing a party, making introductions, planting a garden, wallpapering a bathroom, living on a budget, running a meeting, working through a conflict, or changing a diaper. How do we prepare our children for real life, giving them the skills they need to be productive and successful?
High School Writing to College & Beyond (with Katie Beth Curtis)Katie Beth, homeschool grad, former English professor at UCF, and her, Mom, Meredith, mother of four homeschool grads and a junior in high school, will equip parents and teens to work together for excellent writing and have fun in the process. Katie Beth will share the essential ingredients high schoolers need to be successful in college English classes. Meredith will share applicable ways homeschooling moms can accomplish this often daunting and dreaded instruction. Workshop will include practical tips for writing college registration and award-winning college application essays.
Parents, Love Thy TeensThis is an encouraging and timely word! Meredith will share ways to truly love your teens and to build relationships based on mutual respect and kindness. She will remind you what love is and what love isn't, as well as help you navigate through the challenges of this transition time between childhood and adulthood. Set yourself up for a lifetime of friendship with your soon-to-be adult.
I'd Rather be Texting (with one or more of my kids)Presented by Julianna Curtis, with Jimmy, Josh, Shine, & Phoebe. Teens are often tempted to text, creep the internet, play video games, watch movies and do anything that just seems fun. Do you ever think you must cut your parents out of your social life 'cause that's what teens do? Let us show you how the teen years can be exciting and useful, not just a waiting room to hang out and wait for your life to begin.
College SuccessGrow in confidence in your relationships and academic endeavors. Meredith will share wisdom on choosing, building, and keeping friendships, as well as working effectively with your professors. And speaking of academics: study smarter, not harder. Find out what your professor is looking for in writing assignments, tests, and class discussions so that you can excel. Schedule your time effectively so that you can stay ahead of the game. Meredith will give you study tips for reading, writing, and test taking. Be prepared to thrive at college, not just survive.
What College Professors Want & How Moms Can Prepare their WritersIf you or your teen is planning to attend college, this is the workshop for you! What are college professors expecting from students in all those essays they require? How can my teen best be prepared to excel in the required, and often dreaded, first-year English course? Can I teach my high school student to write? Katie Beth, homeschool grad and former English professor at UCF, will join her mom, Meredith, to answer these and other questions and assure you with a resounding “Yes!” Katie Beth will share the basic writing skills that college professors are looking for from their students, along with ways you can far outdo the average college freshman in writing ability! Meredith will offer practical tips for imparting this to your student based on hands-on experience. Get ready for a whole new perspective on high school writing!
This session is intended for teens. Parents always welcome. |
